American Express to open new airport lounge concept Sidecar inspired by a speakeasy
The demand for pre-flight airport lounge access has continually exploded in popularity post-pandemic, and with an influx of overcrowding and limitations to control the chaos, American Express is rolling out a new concept that could solve that for cardholders on a time crunch hoping to utilize such perks.
1st look at chef José Andrés' new restaurant concept made for travelers
What to know about new airport lounge concept Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge
The new speakeasy-inspired airport lounge concept announced by American Express on Tuesday is designed for eligible Card Members who are seeking a quick bite or drink before they board their flight.
"Many of our visitors spend less than an hour in our Lounges, and we've created Sidecar specifically for them," said Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel. "The first Centurion Lounge opened in Las Vegas in 2013, so it's fitting that we're launching this new lounge concept at LAS as we continue to innovate to meet our Card Members' needs."
The new intimate space is set to open in 2026 and will make American Express the only credit card issuer with two lounges at LAS.
Access will be complimentary for members who currently have access to The Centurion Lounge Network, including Platinum Card Members.
Guests will be able to utilize Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge within 90 minutes before their departure flight.
What's on the new Culinary Collective menus by The Centurion Lounge
Amex also announced a new lineup of talent, adding James Beard Award-winning expertise to the network of airport lounge menus to create The Culinary Collective, which includes chef Mashama Bailey from The Grey in Savannah; Sarah Grueneberg, chef-partner of Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio in Chicago; Kwame Onwuachi of Tatiana fame in New York and Dōgon in Washington, D.C.; and Mike Solomonov from the highly celebrated Zahav in Philadelphia.
Harrison Ginsberg, master mixologist and renowned bar director of acclaimed New York City cocktail bar Overstory, adds his expertise behind the bar with craft cocktails inspired by all four chefs' dishes coming to the in-lounge menus starting later this month.
"With help from our Resy chef partners, we've brought together a group of some of the most exciting culinary minds in America to create incredible menus, available all in one place for the first time ever," Hendley said. "You'd be lucky to make it to each of their celebrated restaurants across the country, but now visitors to our Centurion Lounges will be able sample dishes created by these chefs."
Onwuachi's dishes will include Suya Short Ribs and Tamarind Ice Box Cake.
Examples of dishes from Bailey include gluten-friendly Paprika Chicken as well as a torched Espresso Crème Brûlée.
Dishes diners can potentially expect from Solomonov include Pomegranate Glazed Salmon topped with Tabbouleh, as well as Charred Broccolini with Kashkaval Cheese and Lemon.
Grueneberg's dishes will include vegan Lemony Orzo with Artichokes and Dill, as well as a Grilled Corn and Cucumber Salad with Avocado and Cilantro Salsa Verde.
Ginsberg's elevated and imaginative cocktails will include The Centurion, a vodka-based drink with yuzu, soda and lime that has a touch of sweetness, plus a non-alcoholic option, The Green Tea Tonic, made with green tea, lemon, grapefruit and a botanical non-alcoholic spirit.
The dishes from the Culinary Collective will make up nearly half of the menu at the U.S. lounges and will rotate seasonally and vary by lounge.
Solve the daily Crossword
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNBC
4 hours ago
- CNBC
Citigroup hikes price target on Coinbase, sees room for shares to rise more than 30%
Coinbase stands to gain from legislative momentum as well as stronger bitcoin prices and improved custodial fee revenue, according to Citigroup Global Markets. Analyst Peter Christiansen reiterated his buy rating on the crypto services provider and lifted his price target by 87%, to $505 from $270. The new target suggests the stock still has roughly 33% potential upside. Shares of Coinbase have rallied about 52% this year, helped by the Trump administration's favorable attitude toward cryptocurrencies and the entire financial ecosystem surrounding them. "Coinbase has enjoyed several catalysts in recent weeks, including: (i) signing of the GENIUS Act (stablecoins), (ii) House passage of the CLARITY Act (market structure), and (iii) inclusion in the S & P 500," Christiansen said in a 27=age report to clients published Monday. "We also believe investors are beginning to place a premium on blockchain innovations applicable for real-world activities." COIN 1Y mountain Coinbase stock performance over the past year. Christiansen said his new price target is driven by the quarterly rise in crypto prices of between 40% and 45%, and a better yield on Coinbase's Subs-n-Services revenue. The analyst expects Coinbase's integration of stablecoin USDC and new product announcements, such as its card partnership with American Express and new payments features, will lift Coinbase One subscriber growth. Coinbase in June announced that the American Express card will be available exclusively to U.S. members of the company's monthly subscription product Coinbase One, which offers zero trading fees and other perks. "We continue to see upside for COIN from adding futures and options as well as benefiting from its category leadership in the forthcoming regulated era of crypto," Christiansen said.
Business Wire
5 hours ago
- Business Wire
Navan Joins American Express Sync™
PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Navan, the leading all-in-one business travel and expense management platform, announced a new integration with American Express that enables American Express U.S. Business and Corporate Card Members to instantly create unique virtual Cards for travel booked on the Navan Travel platform via Navan Connect. To support and foster this integration, Navan is participating in the American Express Sync Commercial Partner Program. 'We're thrilled to join forces with American Express to give our customers access to the control, enhanced security, and cash flow management that come with using an American Express virtual Card,' said Michael Sindicich, President, Navan. 'Navan and American Express are both obsessed with delivering amazing user experiences that optimize efficiency and savings. The integration helps us provide our signature end-to-end experience and increased value to our customers that use American Express for their Card needs.' Combined with the end-to-end Navan T&E solution, the Navan-American Express Sync integration offers: Improved reconciliation. Speed up month-end close with automated reconciliation, all while earning the rewards of your American Express Card 1. Proactive spending policies. Create unique virtual Cards with built-in spending policies that make managing travel spend simple for finance teams. Real-time expense management. Companies have full visibility into every virtual Card expense the instant it happens with pending and cleared transactions that automatically appear in the Navan Expense dashboard to enable finance leaders to uncover savings opportunities — while keeping budgets and forecasts up-to-date. With Navan there are even more reasons to love your Card. American Express Card Members can earn the rewards of their eligible American Express Card when they use on-demand virtual Cards for travel payments. Navan Connect's 'Bring Your Own Card' functionality enables businesses to enjoy the benefits of the travel and expense solution employees love while keeping the benefits of the company's existing bank and corporate card partner. The innovative card-link technology has recorded over $1 billion in transaction volume since January 2024. Terms apply, enrollment required, and fees may apply. To learn more, visit About Navan Navan is the leading all-in-one business travel and expense management platform that makes travel easy for frequent travelers. From finding flights and hotels, to automating expense reconciliation, with 24/7 support along the way, Navan delivers an intuitive experience travelers love and finance teams rely on. See how Navan customers benefit and learn more at 1 Not all Cards are eligible to get rewards. Terms and limitations apply.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Citi's Strata Elite Card challenges AmEx Platinum and Chase Sapphire with travel-heavy perks
Not willing to be caught idling while Chase and American Express release new premium credit cards, Citi is launching one of its own: the Citi Strata Elite Card. Zillow updates home price forecast for over 400 housing markets: See the map Here's why Trump's proposed 401(k) executive order may be very bad news for your retirement How to go from quiet to commanding While Citi has offered a premium credit card in the past (the Prestige Card, which some customers still have and use, but is no longer available to new customers), the Citi Strata Elite Card is the company's return to the pitch in many years. Specifically, the new card is designed to directly compete with Chase's Sapphire Reserve card and the Platinum Card from American Express—both of which have recently announced new features, fees, and revamps. As for what makes Citi Strata Elite superior to its competitors' offerings? Pam Habner, Citi's head of U.S. branded cards and lending, says that in the simplest terms, 'it's the best card for premium customers who have a passion for travel and dining.' The card itself boasts an overall value of $1,500 annually, against an annual fee of $595. That includes an annual $300 hotel benefit, a $200 'splurge' credit (for use with certain brands, such as Best Buy or American Airlines), a $200 Blacklane chauffeur credit, and a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. There are numerous perks associated with American Airlines, too, which has had a long relationship with Citi, including four Admirals Club lounge passes. Card members also multiply their points earnings by 12 when booking hotels, car rentals, or attractions through the card's travel portal, along with a six-times multiplier when booking air travel or ordering from certain restaurants at certain times. In all, it packs a powerful punch for people who like to travel and eat out. Habner says that compared with competing cards, it 'is the card with the highest reward potential on the market—it offers travelers more benefits than any other card.' And she notes that the top reason premium cardholders opt for high-level or premium cards is for the travel benefits, according to her team's research. There was a good amount of research, too, that went into the development of the card. While Citi's previous premium card was 'designed for its time,' the new card 'meets the needs of the modern premium customer,' Habner says, and it took a good amount of time, data, and research to figure out exactly what those were. The Strata Elite Card's slate of benefits and perks, she says, reflects Citi's findings. This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
